Future directions for machine-readable data bases and their use

摘要

Prior to discussing my views on the future directions of machine-readabledata bases and their use, it is appropriate to indicate the point of departure.The history of the use of machine-readable data bases by the publiccommenced in the late 1960s and has progressed from a small-scale batchsearchingactivity, where services were largely restricted to SDI and operatorswere delighted if a system could be made to be self-supporting, to thecurrent large-scale on-line retrospective and SDI service, where individualorganizations are not only "for profit" but are making profits and operatingwith budgets in the tens of millions of dollars per year.